December 19th, 2007
Interview With New Hip-Hop Artist JDP
I had the chance to sit down with JDP, Chicago’s own underground rapper over here at Hip Hop Roll. With his hit "Like a Skateboard" that will be coming off his new album "The Elevation EP." By working with people like Lil’ Wayne, Rich Boy, Shawnna, Taylor Mallory, Benisour tha Don, Cap-1 & GLC, he may just be the next thing.
Hip Hop Roll: Some have said that the essence of street Hip Hop is dead because lyrics are now about fast cash and flashy cars. In your bio you said that you claimed to be the "future of the game," what do you do that is so different?
JDP: More then just my content I think my drive and my dedication to the art form itself. Allot of rap artists today rap like they don’t have to rap or they’re just in it to get paid. For me its really a passion, I love Hip-Hop, I love being an MC and I think that shows in my music…
Hip Hop needs artists who actually have a passion for the music to push it forward. In my lyrics, of course you may hear me talk about getting money or partying because that’s part of my life. But the difference is I don’t stop there, if you follow me past a single you’ll hear other parts of me and what makes me unique. I also don’t put limits of myself in terms of calling myself a "street" artist or a "conscience" artist. I’m a "music" artist and what I have to say isn’t meant for a box. One of the things I say all the time is "Everybody raps, but not everyone can make great rap music" I represent for people that grew up with Hip Hop and don’t want to see it go the way of disco, so every time I pick up the pen I’m thinking "be better". All of these things I think justify my claim as the "future of the game" Not just speaking of myself, but a whole gang of artists coming up with the same outlook or feeling.
Hip Hop Roll: On your Website it seems like your schedule is fully booked. You must be keeping yourself busy. How do you account for the success you’ve had in the underground world? Is it possible that people want real Hip-Hop to make a comeback?
JDP: People look at the music business as the ultimate get rich quick scheme. Like, you see the videos, the models, the fame and you don’t understand all it takes to get there. The success I’ve had is the result of hard work. Talent only takes you so far, its really a grind. That’s what "Like a skateboard" is really all about, I’m hustling hard enough for you to take notice. I’m not even there, like I still got allot of work ahead of me. I’m grateful that people connect to me as a artist and that I’ve been getting the response I’ve been getting but yea…..hard work man. I don’t wanna say "real" hip hop because that context is different to everyone, cats in Houston probably think that whats being played now is the realest music out. I definitely feel like "lyrical" Hip Hop is making a come back. Music as a whole runs in circles and Hip Hop is no different. We’ve been non stop partying for 5 years now, and I feel like people are ready to leave the club for a minute or at least want more out of their music. I think 2007 was really a tale-tale sign with the strongest albums being "lyrical" Hip Hop albums like "Finding Forever" or "Graduation" Like that 9/11 battle proved that substance is what people want. Its just not as mass marketed as everything is else right now. Yesssir.
For more info on JDP visit his site at Myspace.com/uptopjdp
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